Learn how to make this bright and colourful drink made from red dragon fruit, lime, water, ginger and sweetened to taste. Super simple, delicious and a must try exotic beverage.
Depending on what side of the world you're located dragon fruit is more of a commodity.
Here in the UK, you can get dragon fruit from Asian and sometimes Caribbean supermarkets.
Unfortunately, one of the disadvantages of living in the diaspora means fruit such as guinep, soursop, naseberry and dragon fruit are extremely expensive and difficult to source at the best of times.
While I was out shopping at my local Lidl (those of you in the UK will know this supermarket).
I stumbled upon some white and pink dragon fruit in its frozen form for £1.99 per packet.
I immediately thought about making a drink recipe for my blog, one that I like to sip on whenever I get get hold of some dragon fruit.
What is dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit aka Pitaya or Strawberry Pear is a fruit species indigenous to Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and other (sub) tropical parts of the world.
The skin of the fruit has a leather like appearance with scaly spikes hence the name of the fruit being coined "dragon fruit".
There are three types of dragon fruit, one has a pink exterior with the inside white with black seeds.
The other has a red exterior with deep purple/red flesh and black seeds. Finally there is another variation, a yellow exterior with white flesh and black seeds.
The taste of the fruit
Like most fruit, when dragon fruit has fully matured and ripened it is generally sweet, the texture of the flesh is soft, juicy and with a mild acquired taste.
In terms of its taste, I personally think it has a taste which is almost parity to lychee but many people say it is more like a kiwi and pear combined in one.
Just make sure to try fresh dragon fruit when its in season, between June and September although yellow skinned with white flesh variation can be found throughout the winter period.
The readiness of dragon fruit
Similar to a mango, you will know when dragon fruit is ripe and ready to eat. The best thing to do is give it a gentle squeeze.
The outer skin should be relatively smooth, bright in colour with very few brown spots and more on the soft side (but not mushy) and not firm, if it is too firm then it needs some time to ripen.
An overripe dragon fruit will have more brown spots and feel more on the mushy side.
Making the juice
Let's talk about how to make the juice, the most important aspect of this blog post.
Dragon fruit is trending right now, you may have seen people use it in their smoothies and fruit bowls.
It is regarded as a super food because it has so many health benefits such as being;
- Rich in antioxidants
- Low in calories,
- High in fibre (support bowel movements)
- Fat free
- Regulates blood sugar levels
- Supports the healthy gut bacteria
Making this juice recipe couldn't be any easier, you only need a blender and a few ingredients - water, ginger, lime and a sweetener of your choice, to taste.
All you need to do is add all of the ingredients to your blender and blitz it until it is smooth.
I add the sweetener last because I am able to control the amount that is needed.
Once thing to note is that if you are using frozen dragon fruit, the juice will be slightly thicker.
The steps
- Add the dragon fruit, ginger, lime and water to a blender.
- Blitz until completely smooth.
- Stir in a sweetener of your choice.
- Serve accordingly.
Notes and tips
- You can purchase fresh dragon fruit from Asian or Caribbean supermarkets (depending on availability).
- Feel free to use any variation of dragon fruit although the yellow dragon fruit tends to be the sweetest of them all.
- Feel free to use any sweetener i.e agave nectar, maple syrup etc...
- Sweeten to YOUR desire, the amount that you feel works best for you.
- Frozen dragon fruit is by far cheaper and more accessible, I recommend using that if you are in a tight budget.
- Once the juice is made, refrigerate for up to 4 days (I haven't tested it longer than that).
Other juice recipes to try
- Mauby Drink
- Tamarind Juice
- Guava Juice
- Guinep Juice
- Aloe Vera Juice
- June Plum Juice
- Jamaican Carrot Juice
- Sea Moss Drink
- Sorrel Drink
**Please comment below and star rate if you have tried my recipes. Support my website by leaving a donation through Buying Me a Coffee. A site to show your appreciation of my hardwork over the years. Let's be friends and engage on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram I also like to pin on Pinterest, where you can find more amazing recipes.**
Dragon Fruit Juice Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups dragon fruit I used frozen or use 4 fresh dragon fruit instead)
- 1 inch of fresh ginger peeled
- juice of 2 limes
- 6-8 cups water
- sweetener of your choice to taste
Instructions
- Add the dragon fruit, ginger, lime and water to a blender.
- Blitz until completely smooth..
- Stir in a sweetener of your choice.
- Serve accordingly
Notes
- You can purchase fresh dragon fruit from Asian or Caribbean supermarkets (depending on availability).
- Feel free to use any variation of dragon fruit although the yellow dragon fruit tends to be the sweetest of them all.
- Feel free to use any sweetener i.e agave nectar, maple syrup etc...
- Sweeten to YOUR desire, the amount that you feel works best for you.
- Frozen dragon fruit is by far cheaper and more accessible, I recommend using that if you are in a tight budget.
- Once the juice is made, refrigerate for up to 4 days (I haven't tested it longer than that).
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